Surah Hud, Ayat 18-19

Ayat 18. And who does more wrong than he who invents a lie against Allah. Such will be brought before their Lord, and the witnesses will say, "These are the ones who lied against their Lord!" No doubt! the curse of Allah is on the Zalimun (polytheists, wrong-doers, oppressors, etc.) .

Ayat 19. Those who hinder (others) from the Path of Allah (Islamic Monotheism), and seek a crookedness therein, while they are disbelievers in the Hereafter. 

Hazrat Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) said, "Eat Suhur (predawn meal). Surely, there is a blessing in Suhur.''

[Al-Bukhari Volume 3, Book 31, Number 146]

Lesson : This Hadith tells us that Suhur is Masnun (Sunnah of the Prophet  [SAWW](PBUH)), even if one takes a small quantity of food. This meal is blessed and maintains one's energy and vitality during Saum. Against this, if a person goes to sleep after taking his dinner to save himself from the inconvenience of getting up before dawn or takes Suhur early will be, on one side, disobeying Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH), while on the other side, he will be feeling hunger and thirst very early and very much as he himself has increased the period of fasting by not taking the Suhur. Subhan Allah! How the weaknesses of man have been taken into account in the teachings of Islam while suitable provision has been provided to overcome them! 

Surah Hud, Ayat 17

Ayat 17. Can they (Muslims) who rely on a clear proof (the Qur'an) from their Lord, and whom a witness [Prophet Muhammad [SAWW](PBUH) through Jibrael (Gabriel)] from Him follows it (can they be equal with the disbelievers); and before it, came the Book of Musa (Moses), a guidance and a mercy, they believe therein, but those of the sects (Jews, Christians and all the other non-Muslim nations) that reject it (the Qur'an), the Fire will be their promised meeting-place. So be not in doubt about it (i.e. those who denied Prophet Muhammad [SAWW](PBUH) and also denied all that which he brought from Allah, surely, they will enter Hell). Verily, it is the truth from your Lord, but most of the mankind believe not.

Hazrat Aishah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When the last ten nights (of Ramadan) would begin, the Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) would keep awake at night (for prayer and devotion), awaken his family and prepare himself to be more diligent in worship. [Al-Bukhari Volume 3, Book 32, Hadith Number 241]

Lesson : as mentioned above in Surah Hud Ayat 17. "So be not in doubt about it (i.e. those who denied Prophet Muhammad [SAWW](PBUH) and also denied all that which he brought from Allah," We learn from this Hadith that the entire month of Ramadan is a spring season for virtues, worship and obedience of Allah, but its last ten days are the peak of this season of worship. Therefore, one must strive hard in the last ten days and nights of this month to follow the practice of the Prophet  [SAWW](PBUH), to seek the Pleasure of Allah and to attain the benefits of Lailat-ul-Qadr, which occurs during this period. The Prophet  [SAWW](PBUH) used to make special arrangement for observing Itikaf, and we must also follow this practice of his.

Surah Hud, Ayat 15-16

Ayat 15. Whosoever desires the life of the world and its glitter; to them We shall pay in full (the wages of) their deeds therein, and they will have no diminution therein.

Ayat 16. They are those for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter but Fire; and vain are the deeds they did therein. And of no effect is that which they used to do.

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) said, "He who spends a pair in the way of Allah will be called from the gates of Jannah: `O slave of Allah! This gate is better for you' and one who is constant in Salat (prayer), will be called from the Gate of Salat; and whoever is eager in fighting in the Cause of Allah, will be called from the Gate of Jihad; and who is regular in observing Saum will be called from Ar-Raiyan Gate. The one who is generous in charity will be called from the Gate of Charity.'' Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) said: "O Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) ! May my mother and father be sacrificed for you! Those who are called from these gates will stand in need of nothing. Will anybody be called from all of those gates?'' He replied, "Yes, and I hope that you will be one of them.''

[Al-Bukhari Volume 3, Book 31, Hadith Number 121]

Lesson : as mentioned above in Surah Hud Ayat 15. "Whosoever desires the life of the world and its glitter; to them We shall pay in full (the wages of) their deeds therein," "Pair'' means two; in other channels of transmission, it has been explained thus: "They asked him, `Pair of what?' He  [SAWW](PBUH) said, `A pair of horses, cows or camels'.'' "Pair'' in this Hadith, however, can be all-inclusive; i.e., fasting two days or performing two prayers, etc. This Hadith also mentions special distinction of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (May Allah be pleased with him) and the esteem in which he was held by the Prophet  [SAWW]((PBUH). It also transpires from this Hadith that one can praise such a person right on his face about whom one does not fear that it will make him proud. This Hadith has also an inducement for giving in Sadaqah two instead of a single item. 

Surah Hud, Ayat 11-12

Ayat 11. Except those who show patience and do righteous good deeds, those: theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward (Paradise).

Ayat 12. So perchance you (Muhammad  [SAWW](PBUH) may give up a part of what is revealed unto you, and that your breast feels straitened for it because they say, "Why has not a treasure been sent down unto him, or an angel has come with him?" But you are only a Warner. And Allah is a Wakil (Disposer of affairs, Trustee, Guardian, etc.) over all things.

Hazrat Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) came out during the night and observed prayer in the mosque and some of the people prayed along with him. When it was morning the people talked about this and so a large number of people gathered there. The Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) went out for the second night, and they (the people) prayed along with him. When it was morning the people began to talk about it. So the mosque thronged with people on the third night. He (the Holy Prophet  [SAWW](PBUH) ) came out and they prayed along with him. When it was the fourth night, the mosque was filled to its utmost capacity but the Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) did not come out. Some persons among then cried:" Prayer." But the Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) did not come to them till he came out for the morning prayer. When he had completed the morning prayer, he turned his face to the people and recited Tashahhud (I bear testi- mony that there is no god but Allah and I bear testimony that Muhammad is His Messenger) and then said: Your affair was not hidden from me in the night, but I was afraid that (my observing prayer continuously) might make the night prayer obligatory for you and you might be unable to perform it.

[Muslim Book 004, Chapter 117 Hadith Number 1667]. 

Surah Hud, Ayat 9-10

Ayat 9. And if We give man a taste of Mercy from Us, and then withdraw it from him, verily! He is despairing, ungrateful.

Ayat 10. But if We let him taste good (favour) after evil (poverty and harm) has touched him, he is sure to say: "Ills have departed from me." 

 

Hazrat Abu Atiyyah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Masruq and I visited `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) and said: "O Mother of the Believers! There are two Companions of Muhammad  [SAWW](PBUH) and neither of them holds back from doing good acts; but one of them hastens to break Saum (fasting) and hastens to perform the Maghrib prayer, while the other delays breaking Saum and delays performing Salat (prayer).'' She asked, "Who is the one who hastens to break Saum and perform the Maghrib prayer?'' Masruq said, "It is `Abdullah (meaning `Abdullah bin Masud  (May Allah be pleased with him)).'' She said, "The Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) used to do so.''

[Muslim Book 006, Ch 09, Hadith Number 2420].  

Lesson : This Hadith points out the practice of the Prophet (PBUH) of breaking the Saum and performing the Maghrib prayer in the early moments of the prescribed time.

Surah Hud, Ayat 8

Ayat 8. And if We delay the torment for them till a determined term, they are sure to say, "What keeps it back?" Verily, on the day it reaches them, nothing will turn it away from them, and they will be surrounded by (fall in) that at which they used to mock! 

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) said, "He who observes optional prayer (Tarawih prayers) throughout Ramadan, out of sincerity of Faith and in the hope of earning reward will have his past sins pardoned.'' [Al-Bukhari Volume 3, Book 32, Number 226]. 

Lesson : We learn from this Hadith that Qiyam in the month of Ramadan is a much-stressed act and has great importance from the viewpoint of reward and award. The sins which are pardoned through it are minor sins because major sins are not forgiven unless one makes sincere repentance and compensates those whom he has wronged.

Surah Hud, Ayat 7

Ayat 7. And He it is Who has created the heavens and the earth in six Days and His Throne was on the water, that He might try you, which of you is the best in deeds. But if you were to say to them: "You shall indeed be raised up after death," those who disbelieve would be sure to say, "This is nothing but obvious magic. " 

Hazrat Amr bin Al-Aas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) said, "The difference between our observance of Saum (fasting) and that of the people of the Scriptures is Suhur (predawn meal in Ramadan).''

[Muslim Book 006, Chapter 9, Hadith Number 2413].  

Lesson : We learn from this Hadith that Suhur is a distinctive mark with which Allah has blessed the Muslim Ummah.